For information on lodging, camping and other services in the area, contact the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, 51 Depot Square, Suite 3, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819; call (802) 748-3678 or (800) 639-6379; or visit the chamber’s Web site at www.nekchamber.com.

For more information on fishing in Vermont, contact the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05676; or call (802) 241-3700.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

The Lakes Region of central New Hampshire offers some great trout-fishing potential this month, but ice-out doesn’t usually occur until sometime in the middle or latter part of the month. According to Don Miller, a Region 2 fisheries biologist, until the lakes begin to really open, shore-angling is a viable and often productive way to go.

Specifically, Miller suggests the public docks on Lake Winnipesaukee at Glendale, Meredith, Weirs Beach, Center Harbor and Alton.

“These areas are kept free of ice throughout the winter by aerators placed around the dock pilings,” Miller noted, “and they are a magnet for large predatory fish, such as lake trout, rainbows and salmon.”

Some of the best action will be had on live bait, particularly smelt or shiners. The docks at Alton and Glendale are accessible from Route 11, at Weirs Beach and Meredith from Route 3, and at Center Harbor off Route 25. Later in the month, or in early May, as some of the bays clear of ice, working the lake along the ice pack will produce some good trout action as well. Wolfeboro Bay, Alton Bay, Meredith Bay and near Weirs Beach are some possible prime spots for lakers and rainbows.

Some other spots to take a look at this month, according to Miller, include the Squam Channel between Big and Squam lakes. Some open water is generally available at both ends and can be reached via the boat ramp in Holderness off Route 3/25. While there, check out Cotton Cove and Pipers Cove. These can open early and have the potential to offer some good early-season action.

It also pays to visit and explore the water around some of the bridges, tributaries and outlets leading into and out of the bigger lakes. The bridges on the Fowler River off Route 3A and the outlet on the lower end of Newfound Lake can be quite productive for rainbows. The same is true of water around the Long Island bridge at the end of Moultonborough Neck, and the bridge leading to Governor’s Island off Route 118 near Pendleton Beach. These areas offer rainbows, but they are good spots for landlocked salmon as well.

Don’t overlook the Winnipesaukee River on Lake Winnisquam. It is a good spot for rainbows and can be fished from shore or in small cartop boats. The same is true of the outlet of Lake Winnisquam at Lochmere, according to Miller. This stretch generally holds some good rainbow trout and can be easily fished from shore.

For information on lodging and services in the area, contact the Lakes Region Association by calling (800) 605-2537; or visit the association’s Web site at www.lakesregion.org.

For more information on trout fishing in New Hampshire, contact the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 2 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301; or call (603) 271-3127.

MAINE

Sebago Lake

Of the major trout lakes in Maine, Sebago is one of the first to start clearing of ice each year. Some years it never freezes over completely, and offers fishable water on opening day. Last spring, after one of the coldest winters on record, the reported ice-out date on the lake was April 17, but traditionally Sebago opens sometime during the second or third week of April. Whatever the case, some part of the lake can usually be worked sometime in April.

Sebago is also popular due to its lake trout fishery, which, according to regional biologists, is still blooming despite new regulations implemented a few years that allow anglers to retain six lake trout daily. This year, the minimum length limit will be 14 inches and only one trout may exceed 23 inches in length.

Finding a place to troll for lake trout is not a problem on Sebago Lake, even in April. There is always plenty of room to wet a line. To begin with, work along the ice pack, but as more open water is made available, the Great Shoals area, about one mile off the mouth of the Northwest River outlet on the west shore, should not be overlooked. At about 30 feet deep, it is relatively shallow in this area, but the edge of the shoals drop off quickly. The shoals are a natural magnet for smelt, and lake trout are not far away.

The Songo Bar, at the mouth of the Songo River on the north end, is another good spring hotspot for the same reasons. Other good areas to work as soon as it is possible include the water off the Dingley islands in the northeast corner of the lake, off the mouth of the Muddy River in the northwest corner and along the west shore from Long Beach all the way to Harmon Beach. The Lower Bay area can give up some good spring lakers, too. Live bait, especially smelt and shiners, work extremely well, as do flatfish and various fluttering spoons and lures in about 40 to 50 feet of water.

Getting on the lake is no problem either. The public launch at Sebago Lake Station off Route 35 in Standish is popular, convenient and offers ample parking. There is another public launch on the north end at Sebago Lake State Park, plus several private launch sites around the lake where launching is available for a minimal fee.

For information on lodges and services in the Sebago Lake area, contact the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce at (207) 892-8265, or visit their Web site at www.windhamchamber.sebagolake.org.

For more information on spring trout fishing in Maine, contact the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, 41 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333; or call (207) 287-8000.  

G&F